(Based on November 10, 2002 article in Carroll County Times.)
Karen Blanford, administrator of Westminster's Office of Housing & Community Development, is the 2002 recipient of the Sylvia Canon Humanitarian Award, given by the Community Services Council of Carroll County.
The award, established last year, recognizes paid employees or retirees of local human service organizations who demonstrate creativity, innovation, and a commitment to positively affecting county residents.
The award is named for Sylvia Canon, founder and Executive Director of Humans Services Programs of Carroll County, Inc. It seeks to honor the sport with which Canon approached her job and community service.
In Blansford's 15 years with the City of Westminster, she has established several shelters and worked with a variety of housing projects benefiting youth, women, men and the elderly. She has also help create community centers, recreational opportunities, and worked with the Arts Council to establish its new location.
She has also worked as a founding board member for HSP of Carroll County and volunteered with the United Way of Central Maryland and the Maryland Housing Coalition. She is a member of The Carroll County Association of Realtors and helped promote Carroll County Food Sunday, The Fuel Fund, and other programs for the less fortunate.
Other nominees for this year's award were (in alphabetical order) Gloria Bair, Family Links Coordinator for HSP of Carroll County, Inc.; Kathryn C. Brown, Executive Director of Shepherd's Staff, Inc; JoAnn Hare, Executive Director of the Rape Crisis Intervention Service of Carroll County; Dr. Elizabeth Ruff, Medical Director and Deputy Health Officer for the Carroll County Health Department; Richard Michael Salkin, a Crisis Intervention Specialist with Family and Children's Services; David J. Tucker, Carroll County Supervisor for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice; Linda Vanderhoff, American Red Cross District Director for Harford and Carroll Counties, and Debbie Zepp, Volunteer Coordinator for Carroll Hospice.
The Community Services Council Inc. is a network of county humans services organizations designed to strengthen ties between providers, educate others about community service, and identify and advocate to meet gaps in community service needs.
Inquiries about nominations for the 2003 Sylvia V. Canon Award can be directed to Audrey Ciminio at 410-876-5505.
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